ventricle

noun

ven·​tri·​cle ˈven-tri-kəl 

: a cavity of a bodily part or organ: such as

a

: a chamber of the heart which receives blood from a corresponding atrium and from which blood is forced into the arteries see heart illustration

b

: any of a system of communicating cavities in the brain that are continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord see brain illustration

Examples of ventricle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That causes the right ventricle to work harder and enlarge. —Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024

This causes the heart’s lower chambers (ventricles) to beat irregularly and often too fast. —Angela Ryan Lee, Health, 6 Sep. 2024

The tricuspid valve, which allows blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle. —Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024

Specifically, a widowmaker heart attack affects blood flow to a major portion of the left ventricle, the most muscular and powerful of the heart's four chambers. —Christopher Lee, Verywell Health, 10 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Latin ventriculus "belly, stomach, cavity in an organ," from ventr-, venter "belly, womb" + -culus, diminutive suffix (variant of -ulus -ule with nouns of the 3rd, 4th and 5th declensions) — more at venter

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ventricle

• third ventricle

Kids Definition

ventricle

noun

ven·​tri·​cle ˈven-tri-kəl 

1

: a chamber of the heart which receives blood from an atrium and from which blood is forced into the arteries

2

: one of the cavities in the brain that are continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord

Medical Definition

ventricle

noun

ven·​tri·​cle ˈven-tri-kəl 

: a cavity of a bodily part or organ: as

a

: a chamber of the heart which receives blood from a corresponding atrium and from which blood is forced into the arteries

b

: one of the system of communicating cavities in the brain that are continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord, that like it are derived from the medullary canal of the embryo, that are lined with an epithelial ependyma, and that contain a serous fluid see lateral ventricle, third ventricle, fourth ventricle

c

: a fossa or pouch on each side of the larynx between the false vocal cords above and the true vocal cords below